Mometasone: Effect
Mometasone is a drug from the group of glucocorticoids (colloquially known as cortisone or cortisone). Mometasone has a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect. It is always contained in medicines as mometasone furoate.
Mometasone furoate is an ester of mometasone. This chemical change improves its effectiveness. The drug then penetrates the tissue more easily and works longer than mometasone. Such chemical changes (modifications) are typical for glucocorticoids.
After application, mometasone enters the interior of the cell, where it binds to so-called glucocorticoid receptors. The resulting complex then migrates into the cell nucleus and prevents the production of pro-inflammatory messenger substances.
Mometasone: Application
Mometasone is available in numerous dosage forms: ointments, creams and solutions (so-called dermatics), nasal sprays and powder for inhalation are available. There are therefore various possible applications.
Ointments, creams and solutions
Wash your hands after each use if you do not need to treat them yourself!
Nasal sprays
Nasal sprays are used for diseases of the nasal mucosa. Adults give two sprays into each nostril once a day. The dose can be reduced to one spray per day per nostril as soon as the symptoms are under control.
If you use a nasal spray, it sometimes takes a few days for mometasone to take full effect.
Inhalers
If you have bronchial asthma, you can inhale with mometasone. There are monopreparations that only contain mometasone. Combination preparations that combine mometasone with bronchodilators are also available. The recommended dose depends on the severity of the asthma. Normally you inhale once a day.
Inhale at approximately the same time every day. Then rinse your mouth with water without swallowing. This will prevent side effects in the mouth and throat area.
Mometasone: Side effects
Nosebleeds and a burning sensation in the nose are undesirable side effects of nasal sprays. Irritation in the throat is also possible.
Fungal infections in the mouth (oral thrush), hoarseness, coughing, headaches and unpleasant changes in taste sometimes occur with inhalation. Oral thrush appears to occur less frequently with mometasone than with other inhaled glucocorticoids.
Rarer side effects can be found in the package leaflet of your mometasone medication. If you suspect undesirable side effects, ask your doctor or your pharmacist.
Indications
Ointments, creams and solutions are used for inflammatory, non-infectious skin conditions such as neurodermatitis, psoriasis and allergic skin rashes. For allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites or pollen (hay fever) and nasal polyps, nasal sprays are used. Patients with bronchial asthma inhale with mometasone.
Contraindications
Mometasone should generally not be used if you are hypersensitive or allergic to the active ingredient or any other component of the medication.
Nasal sprays must not be used in the case of untreated infections of the nasal mucosa, after operations on the nose or injuries to the nose. Mometasone nasal sprays are not approved for children and adolescents under the age of 18.
Inhalants containing only mometasone may only be used from the age of 12. Combined products containing mometasone and another active ingredient are only approved for use from the age of 18.
Interactions
Mometasone and other medications can influence each other. However, this is not particularly likely because only a very small proportion of the drug enters the bloodstream. However, the risk increases if you combine mometasone with certain medications that delay the breakdown of mometasone. If you are taking the following medications, you should seek advice from your GP practice or pharmacy:
- Ketoconazole and itraconazole (antifungals)
- Ritonavir, indinavir and cobicistat (contained in HIV or COVID medications as a booster)
- Clarithromycin and telithromycin (macrolide antibiotics).
Mometasone: Children
Always apply mometasone as an ointment, cream or solution to a small area in children. The treated area should always be less than ten percent of the body surface. Nasal sprays and inhalants are not approved for children.
Mometasone: pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnant and breastfeeding women may use creams, ointments and solutions containing mometasone as well as nasal sprays and inhalants. The active ingredient does not accumulate excessively in the body.
Do not apply ointments or creams to the breast area while breastfeeding so that your child does not absorb the medicine by mouth.
Mometasone: Dispensing instructions
Medicines containing the active ingredient mometasone are only available on prescription in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
One exception is nasal sprays, which are available over the counter in Germany. However, your doctor should have diagnosed an allergy before you use a spray.